Elena Rybakina’s 8 big 2024 withdrawals – as US Open deals her latest blow

Oli Dickson Jefford 30 Aug 2024 10:14 AM

Elena Rybakina following her round one US Open victory. She would withdraw from her round two match.

Elena Rybakina has now withdrawn from eight events in 2024.

Health and fitness problems continue to pile up for Elena Rybakina, whose Grand Slam season has come to a close after her US Open withdrawal.

The world No 4 has won three titles in 2024 but has now had to pull out of yet another tournament due to illness or injury.

After her Flushing Meadows disappointment, we look back at the eight times she has withdrawn from big tournaments this year.

Dubai Tennis Championships

Rybakina’s 2024 struggles began back in Dubai in February, after what had been a strong Middle East swing to that point.

She had won the Abu Dhabi Open and reached the final of the Qatar Open, before reaching the last eight in Dubai.

However, she handed eventual champion Jasmine Paolini a walkover in the quarter-final after suffering a gastroenteritis-like illness.

Indian Wells Open

Rybakina stormed to the Indian Wells title in 2023, though was unable to take to court in her title defence.

Still suffering from the same illness that saw her pull out of Dubai, she withdrew before the tournament began – dropping 1,000 ranking points as a result.

Italian Open

For the second time in 2024, the former Wimbledon champion found herself unable to defend a WTA 1000 title.

And, much like with Indian Wells, it was an illness that scuppered Rybakina’s Italian Open hopes.

In a statement, she said that she “did not feel well enough to compete” as she withdrew before her opening match against Irina-Camelia Begu.

Berlin Open

After a shock French Open quarter-final loss to Jasmine Paolini, Rybakina looked primed to start her grass court season in style at the WTA 500 event in Berlin.

She defeated Veronika Kudermetova in her opener but was just four games into her quarter-final against Victoria Azarenka when she retired with an abdominal injury.

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Eastbourne International

Held just the week before Wimbledon, Rybakina was set to be the top seed in Eastbourne.

However, still feeling the effects of her Berlin injury, she decided to pull out with her withdrawal cited as a “scheduling decision”.

The Kazakh would go on to reach the last four of Wimbledon the following week.

Olympic Games

Rybakina was one of the favourites for the Olympic Games in two disciplines.

She was the third seed in the women’s singles draw, while she and compatriot Alexander Bublik looked set to be one of the most entertaining pairings in the mixed doubles.

However, she never arrived in Paris, and just hours after the draw was made confirmed she would not be playing.

The Kazakh cited acute bronchitis as the reason for her withdrawal.

Canadian Open

Rybakina reached the Canadian Open semi-final in 2023 but was unable to return to the event this year.

Citing the acute that saw her out of Paris 2024, the 25-year-old withdrew from action in Toronto.

US Open

Flushing Meadows has now seen Rybakina withdraw from an event for the eighth time this season – an astonishingly unfortunate record.

Doubts circled over the Kazakh heading into the tournament with the world No 4 barely practising before the event, though she won her round one match in straight sets.

However, she was then forced to pull out of her clash against Jessika Ponchet in round two, with a lower back injury cited as the cause.

“Unfortunately, I have to withdraw from my match today due to my injuries,” she said.

“I did not want to finish the last Grand Slam of the year this way but I have to listen to my body, and I hope I can close out the remainder of the year strong.

“Thank you to all the fans who have and continue to support me, and I wish the remaining players good luck.”